Central Qld average petrol price spikes in 2018

A new report by the State’s peak motoring body has revealed central Queensland drivers were slugged up to 19 cents per litre (cpl) more for fuel in 2018 than in the previous year.

The Club’s Annual Fuel Price Report Summary found the Whitsundays, with an unleaded petrol average of 147.8 cents per litre (cpl), had last year recorded an increase of almost 20cpl. In Mackay and Moranbah, prices rose by 16cpl, to 149.3cpl and 147.4cpl respectively.

RACQ spokesperson Lucinda Ross said of the 30 regional Queensland areas monitored by the Club, 25 set new record high prices for unleaded.

“In addition to our major centres like Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone, inland hubs including Biloela, Blackwater, Bowen, Emerald and Yeppoon also hit the mid-dollar-sixties in October,” Ms Ross said.

“Thankfully, since the October highs, we’ve seen global prices fall by more than 30 percent, which has brought some hip pocket relief at the bowser.”

Ms Ross said it was pleasing to see average indicative retail margins drop in some areas since 2017 – a sign some retailers had passed on savings to motorists.

“In Rockhampton, we saw retail margins drop from 16.2cpl in 2017 down to 14.1cpl last year,” she said.

“Unfortunately, it’s a different story in Mackay where margins rose from 11.9cpl in 2017 to 13.6cpl in 2018.”

Ms Ross said with the Queensland Government’s fuel price reporting trial now in effect, the Club hoped to see a more competitive market in 2019.

“We urge everyone to download our Fair Fuel Finder app and to make sure they’re filling up at the cheapest retailers – that’s going to be the best way to drive competition, and drive down prices.”

RACQ’s Summary of the Annual Fuel Price Report could be viewed on RACQ’s website.